The Reuther Is Home to the Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs and the Wayne State University Archives
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Walter P. Reuther Library Curriculum Dear Educators, Welcome to the Walter P. Reuther Library Curriculum On-line! The Reuther is home to the Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs and the Wayne State University Archives. The library collects, preserves and provides access to the heritage of the American labor movement and related reform movements of the twentieth century. The collection also includes urban affairs, with particular focus on the history of metropolitan Detroit. The following lesson plans allow for instructors/educators to take learning through primary sources and technology to another level by incorporating a hands-on approach to acquiring knowledge. These lessons focus on incorporating English Language Arts, technology skills, social studies and career and employability skills into classroom curriculum and beyond. Students research, compile, develop and complete activities and presentations such as multi-media PowerPoint presentations, portfolio development and educational development plans utilizing the materials located and referenced on this site. All of the following lessons are appropriate for 5th-8th grades and each is relevant to the content areas listed above. An extensive vocabulary list, resource list and bibliography are included for the benefit of both the teacher and students. Each lesson also includes both rubrics for student assessment and evaluation and connections to appropriate curriculum standards based upon the Grade Level Content Expectations as a component of No Child Left Behind. The rubrics are taken from various education web sources/sites that allow permission of their use and revised to reflect these specific activities. Click on the lesson to view in full. Lesson 1 Through connections to Walter Reuther speeches, this activity focuses on “Taking a Stand” and Core Democratic Values. Students research and develop a written and oral report and present it to the class (creative component includes a collage, poem, skit or any other appropriate activity.) They can do the activity independently or as a part of a small group activity—focusing on teamwork—see rubrics. o Connections to Standards o Evaluation and Assessment Rubrics 1 Lesson 2 Through connections that focus on social studies and technology, students develop a PowerPoint or multi-media production utilizing speeches and images from the Photo Gallery at the Walter P. Reuther web site. They will research and take a component of his life and explain how particular life experiences shaped his character. Students can also use other web sites including the UAW’s and will develop a web quest that will help them to research, design, and develop their project. o Connections to Standards o Evaluation and Assessment Rubrics Lesson 3 Through connections to Career and Employability skills, students will research a career in the auto industry including technology, public policy/advocacy, or manager. With this lesson students can research Reuther’s education and job experience background and then ask them to develop an EDP (Education Development Plan). Students compile lists of their talents, skills, and interests and incorporate that information into their assessment. Students write a resume based upon their career of interest. They will work with the Career Pathways and how it fits into the Career and Employability Skills as highlighted by Michigan Department Education. Job readiness and team-based activities including mock interviews are components. o Connections to Standards o Evaluation and Assessment Rubrics Vocabulary List Resource Links Bibliography Walter P. Reuther Library Curriculum Lesson #1 Taking a Stand This lesson focuses on Walter Reuther’s speeches. Activity one, entitled, “Taking a Stand” highlights Core Democratic Values and also encourages students to learn about the kinds of issues that Walter Reuther was passionate about as they related to the labor movement. Students will research and develop a written and oral report and present it to the class (the creative component of this project could include a collage, poem, skit or any other appropriate activity.) Students can work on this project independently or as part of a small group activity, focusing on teamwork. 2 Background Walter Reuther is often remembered as the most accomplished leader in the history of the American labor movement. A man of character, resolve and boundless energy, he sought to level the playing field for American workers. Through his efforts, millions of working families continue to enjoy a more secure future through benefits such as higher wages, health care benefits, sick and vacation days and the right to weekends off from work. Reuther was ambitious, but took pride in being the nation’s lowest-paid union president. As head of the United Automobile Workers (UAW) from 1946 to 1970, he held enormous economic power, but used it to better the lives of the union rank and file. As an advisor to four American presidents, Reuther had political influence, but applied it on behalf of the disadvantaged. He spoke and lived his guiding philosophy: “There is no greater calling than to serve your fellow men. There is no greater contribution than to help the weak. There is no greater satisfaction than to do it well.” With his rise to national prominence, Reuther worked to shape national policy on issues of social equality and justice. “You can’t opt out of life,” he said in 1968. “You’ve got to make up your mind whether you’re willing to accept things as they are, or whether you’re willing to try to change them.” The labor leader was influential in the passage of civil rights legislation and in developing President Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty program. Reuther also advised the Johnson administration on the Model Cities program that provided greatly needed funds for the redevelopment of Detroit and other distressed urban areas. Walter Reuther also demonstrated a personal commitment to civil rights and social justice. He marched with the civil rights activists in Mississippi and hospital workers in South Carolina, for Reuther was a strong supporter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and a friend of Dr. Marin Luther King, Jr. The UAW assisted with financing the 1963 freedom marches in Detroit and Washington, DC. Reuther was one of the few non-African American speakers at the Washington march. In a recent Time article, Irving Bluestone, Reuther’s administrative assistant and long-time friend, told a story about one perplexed marcher asking another “Who is Walter Reuther? “Walter Reuther!” was the incredulous response. “He’s the white Martin Luther King.” Under Reuther’s leadership, the UAW also provided essential financial and logistical support for Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers in their struggle to humanize agricultural work in the southwestern United States. During Walter Reuther’s funeral, both friends and foes eulogized him for his leadership in the labor movement and for his commitment to social reform. “He saw the labor movement as an instrument for social justice” and “for human progress,” said Bluestone. Michigan Senator Philip Hart offered: “you were part of Walter Reuther’s constituency it you were poor, powerless…if you were old, it 3 you were sick.” Henry Ford II added, “Walter Reuther was an extraordinarily effective advocate of labor’s interest. His tough-minded dedication, his sense of social concern, his selflessness and his eloquence all mark him as a central figure in the development of modern industrial history.” Indeed Reuther’s legacy is part of the day-to-day lives of many Americans. Millions of workers enjoy a high standard of living because of advances won at the bargaining table by Walter Reuther. Since its founding in 1935, the UAW has consistently developed innovative partnerships with employers and negotiated industry-leading wages and benefits for its members. UAW members have benefited from a number of collective bargaining breakthroughs, including: • the first employer-paid health insurance plan for industrial workers • the first cost-of-living allowances • a pioneering role in product quality improvements • landmark job and income security provisions • comprehensive training and educational programs Activity Have students log onto the Walter P. Reuther Library’s website page containing both written and audio speeches of Walter P. Reuther at www.reuther100.wayne.edu/speech.php. Have students either read or listen to one of the following Walter Reuther speeches: Text- PDF Speeches 500 Planes Speech- 539.14 New York Times Article 500 Planes Article- 539.15 New York Times 500 Planes Draft- 539.15 New York Times 500 Planes Final- 539.15 Labor Day Address NAACP- 1957 Proposal to Franklin D. Roosevelt- 539-18 Radio Debate- Prosperity Which Way? The Job Ahead The National Hour- 542.6 UAW Khruschev Meeting Labor and the OPA- 542.6 Presidential Campaign Address FEPC- 542.6 4 Audio- mp3 Walter Reuther speaking at the 1966 UAW convention, Long Beach, California, May 16, 1966. (1 of 2) Walter Reuther speaking at the 1966 UAW convention, Long Beach, California, May 16, 1966. (2 of 2) Walter Reuther speaking to the new UAW members at Solidarity House, March 21, 1968. (1 of 1). Questions for Discussion After students have read/listened to the speech of their choice, have the class discuss the following: Why did Walter Reuther feel that automobile and factory workers were treated unjustly? What actions did Walter Reuther take to improve the environment and conditions for factory workers? Did his actions improve working conditions, or hurt them? Discuss the sacrifices that Walter Reuther and the UAW members endured in order to fight for their beliefs. Discuss the rights that American workers enjoy today, because of the work of Walter Reuther and the UAW. Upon completion of the class discussion ask students to research and develop a written report about one or more of the issues Walter Reuther took a stand for to ensure better working conditions and wages for automobile and other factory workers.